GOP Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Suspend Health Care Penalty

iStock/Thinkstock (WASHINGTON) -- Congressman Joe Barton introduced a bill Tuesday that would allow Americans to opt out of signing up for the Affordable Care Act for one year. The Texas Republican's "Obamacare Choice Act" says the point of the legislation is suspending tax penalties for Americans who decide the coverage is not for them.

Barton brought along plenty of supporters of his plan, which included Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who claimed the ACA hurts women because they make most of the health decisions for their families.

Fellow Texas Republican Michael Burgess also alleged that the health care law will cripple the insurance industry and other businesses, suggesting that it was un-American because of how it forced people into buying coverage they may not want.

While the bill might easily pass the GOP-controlled House, it has no chance in the Senate where Democrats hold sway.